Healing Journey - a Bad Road in the Majestic Mountains
You’ve heard the healing process referred to as a journey. “Your healing journey”, sounds nice doesn’t it? I think of a journey as having adventure, seeing and experiencing new and exciting things, and a multitude of photos. As a therapist this is not the experience I see reflected in my client’s healing process. Their experience resembles a different kind of journey. One that takes them to the darkest parts of their life as well as the most beautiful. Their healing journey is full of the unknown. It follows no set schedule, has very few rest stops, and holds their hopes, fears, wounds, and exposes their worth. I think the healing journey is like traveling a bad road in a majestic mountain range. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it is for the hurting, the tired, and those desiring change. While the journey holds many difficult challenges, it also holds moments of wonder, joy, contentment, and connection. These are the things we are meant to experience which makes the journey worthwhile.
I believe there are things needed when going on a journey. A healing journey is no different. The two things best suited for a healing journey are patience and compassion. These tools allow you to visit the sight of your wounding without blame. To see yourself for who you were meant to be and experience who you really are. Patience, for the multitude of emotions and feelings that will rush forward, and the time needed to experience and process these feelings. Compassion, for what you experienced and will experience, to honor your healing process. The powerful and stable force of patience and compassion will keep you upright while facing the painful wounds of your life. Without them, blame, judgement, and fear may weigh you down to the point it feels like you cannot breathe or move. Patience creates the space for compassion to work; applying its salve into your worn-out body and mind.
The words patience and compassion are often thought of in “pretty” terms.” I see these words much differently. They have grit and are the heavy lifters on the journey, and without them it’s nearly impossible. The healing journey is not graceful and smooth like many believe. This journey visits the places of your wounding where fear, anxiety, disconnection and grief reside. Think of the healing journey like it’s the worst road you’ve ever driven. Now imagine driving that road without four-wheel drive and guardrails in a majestic mountain range. Without four-wheel drive, getting through the mountains is impossible, without the guardrails you risk driving off the road. This is what the healing journey would look like without patience and compassion.
If you’re considering embarking on a healing journey be aware that there are moments of pain, and great places of self-acceptance. What a powerful journey! A good companion and guide for this journey is a qualified therapist. When going it alone it’s not easy to see the things that are hurting or assisting your process. A good therapist can recognize these things while working alongside you in an environment of curiosity, reflection, and respect. Whether you are already on the healing journey or considering it, I honor you and your process. Take Good Care.
Your thoughts/questions are welcome in the comment box below.